Module 2: Review on Linear Equations & Linear Inequalities

Learning Outcomes

At the end of this module, you are expected to:

1. Solve linear equations in one or two variables

2. Compute the solution set of linear inequalities in one or two variables
3. Solve systems of linear equations and linear inequalities

2.1. Linear Equations in One Variable

A linear equation in one variable can be written in the form, 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏 = 0 where a and b
are real numbers with 𝑎 ≠ 0. To solve an equation of this form is to find the value of variable x
that makes the statement true.
Transpose +4 to the right side of
Example: Solve 6𝑥 + 4 = 46
the equation, therefore, -4
Solution: 6𝑥 + 4 = 46
6𝑥 = 46 − 4 Subtract 4 to the right side then
6𝑥 = 42 divide both sides of the
equation by 6.
𝑥=7

If we substitute the computed value of x in the given equation, we have 46 = 46. Hence,
𝑥 = 7 is the solution of the equation.

Example: Solve 7𝑥 + 4 = 4(𝑥 + 7) Multiply 4 to (x+7)

Solution: 7𝑥 + 4 = 4(𝑥 + 7)
Move 4x to the left side of the equation
7𝑥 + 4 = 4𝑥 + 28
and 4 to the right side. Be mindful of the
7𝑥 − 4𝑥 = 28 − 4 change in their signs.
3𝑥 = 24
𝑥=8
Divide both sides of the equation by 3.

2.2. Linear Equations in Two Variables

A linear equation in two variables in in the form 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏𝑦 = 𝑐, where a, b, and c are

constants and a and b ≠ 0. The solution of linear equation in two variables is the set of points on a

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line that satisfies the given equation. This can be done by assigning values for x and solving for
the corresponding values of y or by finding the intercept.

Example: Solve 5𝑥 + 3𝑦 = 15
Substitute 0 to the value of x
Solution: then proceed with the
Let x = 0 operation
5(0) + 3𝑦 = 15
3𝑦 = 15
𝑦=5
Substitute 0 to the value of y
Let y = 0 then proceed with the
5𝑥 + 3(0) = 15 operation
5𝑥 = 15
𝑥=3

Therefore, x-intercept is at (3,0) and y-intercept is at (0,5). Then, plotting the x and y
intercept on a Cartesian plane, we have:

Example: Solve 2𝑥 − 4 = 2𝑦 + 8

Solution:

Let x = 0
Substitute 0 to the value of x
2𝑥 − 4 = 2𝑦 + 8 then proceed with the
2(0) − 4 = 2𝑦 + 8 operation
−4 = 2𝑦 + 8
−2𝑦 = 8 + 4
−2𝑦 = 12
𝑦 = −6

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 Let y = 0

2𝑥 − 4 = 2𝑦 + 8 Substitute 0 to the value of y

2𝑥 − 4 = 2(0) + 8 then proceed with the
2𝑥 − 4 = 0 + 8 operation
2𝑥 = 8 + 4
2𝑥 = 12
𝑥=6

Therefore, x-intercept is at (6,0) and y-intercept is at (0,-6). Then, plotting the x and y
intercept on a Cartesian plane, we have:

2.3. System of Linear Equations

A system of linear equations two or more linear equations with the same variable. The
solution of a system of linear equations is the point of intersection of the lines representing the
equations. This can be determined algebraically or graphically. The algebraic solution may be done
by elimination or substitution.

Example:

Solve: 2𝑥 + 𝑦 = 4 (equation 1)
𝑥 − 2𝑦 = 7 (equation 2)

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 Solution: Multiply equation 1 by 2 so we
can eliminate the variable y via
2𝑥 + 𝑦 = 4 4𝑥 + 2𝑦 = 8 addition.
+ +
𝑥 − 2𝑦 = 7 𝑥 − 2𝑦 = 7
5𝑥 = 15
𝑥=3
Proceed with the operation.
You will get x=3. This will be
used to find the value of y.

To solve for the value of y, we will substitute 𝑥 = 3 to either equation 1 or equation 2.

Using equation 1:

2𝑥 + 𝑦 = 4
2(3) + 𝑦 = 4
6+𝑦 =4
𝑦 = 4−6
𝑦 = −2

Therefore, the point of intersection for the equations 2𝑥 + 𝑦 = 4 and 𝑥 − 2𝑦 = 7 is at point

(3, -2). This means that both equations will be true when (3, -2) is substituted in the equations.

2.4. Linear Inequalities in One Variable

An inequality is a statement formed by placing an inequality symbol between numeral and

variable expression. An inequality containing a variable is called an open sentence inequality. The
solution set of such inequality is the set of all values of the variables that make the inequality a
true statement.

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 Just as with equations, we perform operation on inequalities that produce a simplified
equivalent inequality. We can perform essentially the same operation on inequalities that we
perform in equations. If we multiply and divide a negative integer to both sides of the inequality,
however, we have to reverse the order of the inequality symbol.

Example: Solve and graph 7𝑥 − 8 < 4𝑥 + 7

Solution:
Move 4x to the left side of the equation
and 8 to the right side.
7𝑥 − 8 < 4𝑥 + 7
Be mindful of the change in their signs.
7𝑥 − 4𝑥 < 7 + 8
3𝑥 < 15
𝑥<5

Divide both sides of the equation by 3.

This means that all values of x that is less than 5 will make the statement true. Try
substituting any values that is less than 5 to check.

The graph will look like this:

Example: Solve and graph 10𝑦 ≥ 4𝑦 + 6

Solution:

10𝑦 ≥ 4𝑦 + 6
Move 4y to the left side of the equation
10𝑦 − 4𝑦 ≥ 6
then proceed with the operation.
6𝑦 ≥ 6 Be mindful of the change in their signs.
𝑦≥1
Then, divide both sides of the equation by 6

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 This means that all values of y that is greater than or equal to 1 will make the statement
true. Try substituting any values that is greater than or equal to 1 to check.

The graph will look like this:

2.5. Linear Inequalities in Two Variables

An inequality that can be written as: 𝐴𝑥 + 𝐵𝑦 < 𝐶, 𝐴𝑥 + 𝐵𝑦 > 𝐶, 𝐴𝑥 + 𝐵𝑦 ≤ 𝐶, and

𝐴𝑥 + 𝐵𝑦 ≥ 𝐶, where A, B, and C are real numbers and A and B are not both equal to zero (0), are
called linear inequalities in two variables.

The solution set of a linear inequality in two variables is the subset of the plane consisting
all points (x, y) whose coordinates satisfy the inequality.

To find the solution set of a linear inequality:

1) Replace the inequality symbol by an equal sign.

2) Graph the corresponding line. If the symbol of the inequality is < or >, use a dashed
line to indicate that the line is not part of the solution set.

3) Choose any point that does not lie on the line, if possible (0, 0), and substitute its
coordinate to the given inequality. If the point satisfies the inequality, all the points
on the same half-plane is the solution set of the inequality. Otherwise, the solution
is the half-plane not containing the test point.

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 Example: Solve 3𝑥 + 2𝑦 ≤ 6

Solution:

3𝑥 + 2𝑦 ≤ 6
3𝑥 + 2𝑦 = 6

Upon solving, the x and y intercept are: (2, 0) and (0, 3). The graph will look like this:

Using the origin as a testing point,

3𝑥 + 2𝑦 ≤ 6
3(0) + 2(0) ≤ 6
0 ≤ 6 𝑇𝑅𝑈𝐸

We get a true statement; therefore, the solution set is the half-plane containing the origin.
Its graph will look like this:

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 Try using any point found on the shaded area to test if the statement will be true.

1
Example: Solve 𝑥+𝑦 >4
2

Solution:
1
𝑥+𝑦 =4 or 𝑥 + 2𝑦 = 4
2

Upon solving, the x and y intercept are: (8, 0) and (0, 4). The graph will look like this:

Using the origin as a testing point,

1
𝑥+𝑦 > 4
2
1
(0) + 0 > 4
2
0 > 6 𝐹𝐴𝐿𝑆𝐸

We get a false statement; therefore, the solution set is the half-plane not containing the
origin. Its graph will look like this:

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 2.6. System of Linear Inequalities

A combination of at least two inequalities in one or more variables which require a

simultaneous solution is called a system of inequalities. To solve a system of inequalities means
to find the ordered pairs which will satisfy all the conditions imposed on the variable. The solution
set is also known as the feasible region.

Example: Solve the system 𝑥 − 𝑦 ≤ 1 and 𝑥 + 𝑦 ≤ 3

Solution:

𝑥−𝑦 ≤1 : (1, 0)
(0, -1)

𝑥+𝑦 ≤3 : (3, 0)
(0, 3)

Graph of 𝑥 − 𝑦 ≤ 1

Graph of 𝑥 + 𝑦 ≤ 3

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 When the two graphs are combined, their graphs will look like this:

Notice the area where the two graphs overlap? This is the feasible region. This means that
all the points located in that area will make the two inequalities true. Try to pick any point in that
area and substitute it to 𝑥 − 𝑦 ≤ 1 and 𝑥 + 𝑦 ≤ 3.

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